The Times We Had

There was silence on the other end of the call for a few seconds, followed by a rustling of movement.

Soon, Chuck answered, "Hmmm? What's up, darling? I was just putting in some overtime, but I guess I'm coming home late tonight... It's that new project—there are some details that need to be confirmed."

He was audibly panting, and his response was punctuated by some strange pauses.

Lisa's heart sank instantly. Her hands were still trembling, but her mind was miraculously calm. "Wasn't everything approved last night? Are there still further issues? Is it serious? I can come to the office to look through it—"

"No!" Chuck responded before he knew it, but he quickly realized he got agitated and said, "It's just some minor… formalities. Moreover, it's a hot day out, and traveling will be taxing. Also, everyone else will belittle me if I have to ask my wife to help with some… documents."

Lisa stayed silent for a long while, and Chuck caved first, quickly saying that he had to work, and hung up.

Lisa's fingers turned pale as she gripped her phone and looked up at the car opposite her that began to rock again, her expression blank.

Chuck's excuse kept looping repeatedly in her mind.

How perfect it was—from the intonation, the excuse… even the obvious submission and flirting.

After all, those were all Chuck's strengths.

Lisa could be a little tough, coupled with outstanding feats in her career. Many men had tried and failed to get goodies from her, let alone tame her—when they did, they just got upset and spread rumors that she had slept with other important men to climb the ranks.

Still, Chuck didn't care about the rumors that seemed to be tied to her for years—he regarded those who slandered Lisa with disdain.

Lisa was touched by his faith, so she didn't think much when he started to work overtime more and more frequently a year ago.

She just thought Chuck was working hard for their future, but now…

So, on those nights when he didn't come home, was he actually working or having a wild night with another woman?

It took great effort to build up faith, but it could also be destroyed with ease.

Lisa's eyes stung, but she did her best to control herself from crying.

She told herself to just treat Chuck's 'love' as an illusion.

Fortunately, she had yet to really marry Chuck, so there was still time for regret.

-

The house was dark when Chuck got home.

Lisa lay on her side on the bed while keeping her back to the door, listening as he washed up before coming to bed.

He had been zealously attentive to the little things in their three years being together, which was why Lisa never had any reason to doubt his loyalty.

Even now, right after a tryst with another woman, he still remembered to close the bathroom door when washing up, so as not to wake Lisa up with the sound of running water.

It was just one of the many examples that showed he remembered every little thing about her and catered to all her eccentricities.

Would he really go through such lengths for someone he didn't love?

Still, it seemed that this love wasn't enough to deter him from meeting his more physical desires…

Nonetheless, Chuck soon got into bed and gave Lisa a goodnight kiss on her cheek—just like he had done every night for years.

Despite the scent of mint toothpaste, Lisa couldn't help wanting to throw up, and she used all her strength to stop herself from avoiding his kiss.

When she thought of his lip pressing against another woman's just a couple of hours ago, she felt the urge to push him away and demand a reason!

Nonetheless, Chuck quickly fell asleep.

After hearing his breaths turn steady, Lisa quietly walked around to the other side of the bed and picked up his phone.

The day they got married, Chuck had Lisa set up her fingerprint as a method to unlock his phone, saying that he wanted her to feel secure with the thought that she would always have access.

After all, he would never cheat on her.

Lisa went into the bathroom, impassive as she swiped through Chuck's chat history expressionlessly.

When the interface loaded, Lisa almost couldn't help wanting to laugh, as Chuck had blatantly put another woman at the top of his list of favorite contacts.

The reason was obvious too—they had been married for three years, but as they gradually learned about each other, Chuck must have realized that Lisa was not the type to look through other people's phones.

The latest message was sent just half an hour ago.

[Doing it in the car was fun, but so taxing… My legs are so weak that I can't walk now~]

There was a selfie of the woman attached to the message, her legs turned inward so that the fairness of her thighs were more apparent. Her miniskirt didn't cover much, but it also made it all the more tempting to look…

Chuck had already replied to it too.

[Then don't beg me for more next time.]

The bottom of the chat log was a blushing emoji from the woman, so Lisa scrolled on.

But it was all the same—flirtatious sexting and selfies from the woman.

Lisa brought her own phone and took pictures of every message in that chat log before putting it back on Chuck's pillow where it had been.

It was only when she lay on the bed again that she dared to let herself breathe again.

That chat log was the final straw—irrefutable evidence that broke Lisa's heart.

Now, she had no choice but to admit that Chuck—who had spent five years convincing her that she could trust him—had been cheating on her a long time ago.

Large drops of tears trickled down the corner of her eyes, dampening her pillow.

As she curled up, she had no idea how long it took for her to cry herself to sleep.